Bench test a starter solenoid??

H

hallibut

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Trying to diagnose an electrical problem. How do I test the starter solenoid and starter to take them out of the equation? Thanks
 
H

hallibut

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Hi there-
85 Tohatsu 70hp- Nothing happens when I turn the key except gauges do click on. Push in choke on key does not activate either. I do show power to the solenoid, but I am at a loss????? Thanks
 
TOHATSU GURU

TOHATSU GURU

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Jump across the solenoid on the engine. If the starter activates the problem is the solenoid. If the starter doesn't activate you have another problem.
 
H

hallibut

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Thanks for the reply-
OK I jumped the starter and it sparked for a second and now nothing. Help!@#@#!
 
N

Nick on the Bad Habit

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Try removing both battery cables and clean connections to shiny metal, use some kind of grease on the clean metal then reconnect your cables. If your motor doesn't start you might have a dead battery.
Nick
 
H

hallibut

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Thanks for the reply-

These batteries are brand new and fully charged. I show 12.9 volts going into the solenoid????????Go figure??
 
N

Nick on the Bad Habit

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

The connections at the solenoid and at the starter all need to good and clean also.
 
pvanv

pvanv

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

If the push-to-choke also does not activate, you may have another problem, possibly with the RC wiring. Verify power to the choke solenoid and the start solenoid.
 
mmccoy555

mmccoy555

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

Make sure you have a working neutral safety switch in the throttle handle. There should be a brown wire going to the motor. Look at the motor and find that brown wire. There should be a quick disconnect. Disconnect that wire and try to start again. That will eliminate the neutral safety switch form the circut. If it starts its the switch. If not then you still have another issue. Does this help?
 
bustermin

bustermin

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??

if you jumped the starter and nothing happened and you do in fact have 12.9 volts, you have a bad starter, but it sounds like you have other issues not related to the starter, what is the voltage at the solenoid when you turn the key? does it drop or stay the same? did you check fuses/breakers? you could take out the starter and bench test it but just because it works on a bench doesnt mean it a good starter, it needs to be under a load.
 
H

hallibut

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Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??-Fixed!!!

Re: Bench test a starter solenoid??-Fixed!!!

Thanks for the responses! I replaced all my connectors at the battery and solenoid and that seemed to do the trick!!! Yeah!!
 
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